John G. Avildsen

John G. Avildsen, the maestro of underdog triumphs. Born in 1935, in Oak Park, Illinois, USA, Avildsen was active in the film industry from 1960 until his death in 2017, mainly in the drama and sports genres. He is best known for directing classics like "Rocky" (1976) and "The Karate Kid" series, for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Director. Avildsen is renowned for his authorial style of portraying uplifting stories of ordinary individuals overcoming daunting obstacles, often using sports as a metaphor for life's battles. In the world of cinema, John G. Avildsen will always be remembered as the director who made audiences cheer for the underdog, finding inspiration in the resilience of his characters.